There are rumors that Apple might soon remove two of its key features from iPhones in the UK. Due to ongoing regulatory issues, the company’s iMessage and FaceTime might be removed in the UK.
The Cupertino-based company opposes the new Online Safety Bill similar to WhatsApp and Signal. The Government in the UK is planning to introduce the Online Safety Bill, which will regulate messaging services. This bill will allow the government to monitor your messages to detect CSAM (child sexual abuse material) and other illegal content.
The Online Safety Bill also wants to access end-to-end encrypted messages. This bill has already been criticized by WhatsApp and Signal, who have withdrawn their services from the country. Apple looks to follow suit by removing iMessage and Facetime as they refuse to compromise their services for a single country. If the bill comes into effect, it will be the biggest threat to data security and privacy in the UK.
At the time of writing, the bill is under an 8-week consultation period. Tech giant Apple is hoping that government will take their feedback into account and reverse the bill. We will continue providing updates regarding the bill as it unfolds in the coming weeks.
